EAST Renfrewshire Council has defended six-figure salaries paid to senior officials.

Campaign group The TaxPayers’ Alliance revealed that seven members of staff at the local authority earned more than £100,000 during 2020/21.

The figures were included in the Town Hall Rich List, which examines the pay packets of council bosses across Britain.

According to the Alliance, the biggest earner at East Renfrewshire Council in the past year was chief executive Lorraine McMillan, who pocketed £147,868.

She was followed by Julie Murray, chief officer of the East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, on £136,323.

Deputy chief executive Caroline Innes – now retired – was the third highest earner, at £134,309, along with director of environment Andrew Cahill.

Margaret McCrossan, chief finance officer, was paid £119,750, while chief social work officer Kate Rocks received £106,173.

Anthony McReavy, chief executive of East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure, was on £104,138.

Their remuneration packages for the year 2020/21 included pension contributions from the council ranging from £16,847 to £23,788.

The Alliance is urging councils to halt tax rises and cut wasteful spending.

Chief executive John O’Connell added: “Taxpayers facing a cost-of-living crisis want to know they are getting value for money from their local authority leadership.

“With households struggling under colossal tax bills, we need councils to prioritise key services without resorting to punishing tax hikes.”

A council spokesperson said: “We are absolutely focused on delivering the best services possible for our residents and, like all councils, have made significant efficiencies in recent years.

“Salaries for local government chief executives are set nationally, based on an assessment of the role and responsibilities and required skills and qualifications.

“Senior management salaries are then set as percentage of the salary of the chief executive.

“During these extremely challenging times, it is more important than ever that we have highly-skilled leaders helping us to ensure the council adapts and continues to deliver vital frontline services as best as we possibly can.”